The Jesuit Missions : A chronicle of the cross in the wilderness eBook

There was a break in the mission in 1627. Noue
lacked the physical strength and the mental alertness
essential to a missionary in these wilds. Finding
himself totally unable to learn even the rudiments
of the Huron language, he returned to Quebec, since
he did not wish to be a burden to Brebeuf. For
a year longer Brebeuf and the Recollet Daillon remained
together at Toanche. But in the autumn of 1628
Daillon left Huronia. He was the last of the
Recollets to minister to the Hurons.

Save for his French hired men, or engages, Brebeuf
was now alone among the savage people. In this
awful solitude he laboured with indomitable will,
ministering to his flock, studying the Huron language,
compiling a Huron dictionary and grammar, and translating
the Catechism. The Indians soon saw in him a
friend; and, when he passed through the village ringing
his bell, old and young followed him to his cabin
to hear him tell of God, of heaven the reward of the
good, and of hell the eternal abode of the unrighteous.
But he made few converts. The Indian idea of
the future had nothing in common with the Christian
idea. The Hurons, it is true, believed in a future
state, but it was to be only a reflex of the present
life, with the difference that it would give them
complete freedom from work and suffering, abundant
game, and an unfailing supply of tobacco.

Brebeuf’s one desire now was to live and die
among this people. But the colony at Quebec was
in a deplorable condition, as he knew, and he was
not surprised when, early in the summer of 1629, he
received a message requesting his presence there.
Gathering his flock about him he told them that he
must leave them. They had as a sign of affection
given him the Huron name Echon. Now Christian
and pagan alike cried out: ’You must not
leave us, Echon!’ He told them that he had to
obey the order of his superior, but that ’he
would, with God’s grace, return and bring with
him whatever was necessary to lead them to know God
and serve Him.’ Then he bade them farewell;
and, joining a flotilla of twelve canoes about to
depart for Quebec, he and his engages set out.
They arrived at Notre-Dame-des-Anges on the 17th of
July, to find the Jesuits there in consternation at
the rumoured report of the approach of a strong English
fleet.

CHAPTER IV

THE ADVENTURERS OF CANADA

Charles Lalemant, superior of the Jesuit mission,
had no sooner landed on the shores of New France than
he became convinced that the mission and the colony
itself were doomed unless there should be a radical
change in the government. The Caens were thoroughly
selfish. While discouraging settlement and agriculture,
they so inadequately provided for the support of the
colony that the inhabitants often lacked food.
But the gravest evil, in Lalemant’s mind, was
the presence of so many Huguenots. The differences
in belief were puzzling to the Indians, who naturally